Four Contenders Vying to be the Navy's Top Warplane

In the contest to become the Navy's greatest strike airplane, it's man versus machine. Unmanned aircraft like the X-47B compete against piloted planes like the F-35C Lightning II to see which will dominate the future of naval aviation. These are the four top contenders for the crown.

F-35C Lightning II

F-35C Lightning II

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin

Selling Point: The F-35C, the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, is the most sophisticated warplane ever built. Pilots will be able to see threats from 360 degrees and access targeting data from other aircraft and ground sensors.

Status: After years of delays, the F-35C may deploy in 2016. Congress is considering cutting the number of planes it orders.